European exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries had profound impacts on global trade patterns, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across continents. Expeditions by explorers such as Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan opened new trade routes and established direct links between Europe and the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The influx of precious metals from the Americas and the demand for spices and silks from Asia dramatically reshaped the European economy, leading to the rise of mercantilism and colonialism. This exploration not only transformed local economies but also initiated long-lasting interactions that shaped modern globalization.